Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett is steaming mad and he
has a right to be. As a Congressman, Barrett was responsible for
getting federal funds earmarked to transportation in Milwaukee. As
Mayor, Barrett has pushed for a fixed rail transit system in the
downtown area that would help both residents and businesses. To see
those same funds he fought for being held hostage by Walker who is
unwilling to compromise and share funds with the City, has got to frost
the Mayor.

Walker has been consistent in his rhetoric — he doesn’t want his
name associated with a tax increase. As such, he has underfunded many
of his departmental budgets which has forced the County Board to take
leadership to restore key funding. The same holds true of transit.

While Barrett wants to use the funds to help make Milwaukee a world
class city, Walker wants to use the funds for more of the same — buses.
Barrett claims his plan is the better idea since all other major
successful cities have some sort of a fixed rail system. Another mid
sized city, Seattle, has seen great success with their rail system.
Barrett sees Milwaukee as prime for the same successes that Seattle has
had.

And just look at what Barrett has accomplished. A bustling downtown
and high density condos and lofts right in downtown Milwaukee. This
plan, started by former Mayor John Norquist and
continued by Barrett has created success in a relatively short time.
Just 15 years ago, many parts of downtown Milwaukee were a ghost town
after 6pm. Today, high end development coupled with great restaurants,
brew pubs and entertainment venues have drawn people back to downtown.
It is no surprise that Barrett won re-election with a higher percentage
of the votes than any other Mayor or Mayoral candidate for the past 40
years.

Now that Barrett has been successful in bringing people back to
downtown Milwaukee, something needs to be done to move people from
point A to point B. Barrett has a plan. Walker does not.

So should Barrett be mad that one of the key segments to continued
growth in downtown is being impeded by the County Exec? Should Barrett
be steamed that despite all of his efforts, the one thing that could
skyrocket downtown growth and development is being held hostage by
Walker?

Shouldn’t everyone?

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